View source for Retro Computer Museum

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{{use British English}}
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{{infobox museum
| name                = Retro Computer Museum
| logo                = [[Image:RCM Logo.jpg|220px|alt=Retro Computer Museum Logo]]
| image               = [[Image:RCM Sign.jpg|thumb|Sign outside the museum|alt=Sign outside Retro Computer Museum]]
| coordinates         = {{Coord|52.664187|-1.089782}}
| established         = {{Start date|2008|07|df=y}}
| dissolved           = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} -->
| location            = [[Thurmaston]], [[Leicestershire]]
| type                = [[Computer museum]]
| key_holdings        = 
| collection_size     = ~300 (unique) systems, >40000 software titles
| visitors            = 
| founder             = Andy Spencer
| chairperson         = Andy Spencer
| publictransit       = 
| car_park            = On site (no charge)
| website             = {{URL|retrocomputermuseum.co.uk}}
}}

The '''Retro Computer Museum''' ('''RCM''') is a museum in [[Leicester]], England dedicated to the benefit of the public for the preservation, display, and public experience of [[computer]] and [[Video game console|console]] systems from the 1960s onwards.<ref name="website">http://retrocomputermuseum.co.uk</ref><ref name="inside_out>
{{cite episode
| last1   = Burch
| first1  = Geoff
| last2   = Burak
| first2  = Lukwesa
| network = [[BBC]]
| station = [[BBC One]]
| series  = [[Inside Out (2002 TV programme)|Inside Out]] ([[East Midlands]])
| title   = Inside Out East Midlands 2019-03-11 (Retro Computing Feature)
| url     = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNpxAbebQwE <!-- BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0003bv8 -->
| date    = 2019-03-11
| time    = 1:34
| quote   = Andy Spencer began collecting computers and video games back in his twenties, when he got married his collection outgrew his garage and with the help of friends and family he built the Retro Computer Museum in Leicester.
}}</ref>

== Overview ==

[[Image:RCM Interior.jpg|thumb|Part of the museum's main room|alt=Interior of the Retro Computer Museum]]

The museum is a [[Charitable organization|registered charity]]<ref name="charity">{{EW charity|1146912}}</ref>, and staffed entirely by volunteers. The museum is run by a board of trustees chaired by Andy Spencer<ref name="charity"/>, the founder of the museum. On display are a number of computers and consoles from throughout history, from the early home consoles such as the [[Atari 2600]], more advanced machines like the [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Commodore 64]], and [[NES]], through to more recent consoles like the [[GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2]], and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]].<ref name="inside_out/> A number of rarer items are also on display.<ref>
{{cite web
| last1   = Spencer
| first1  = Andy
| title   = General bits...
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11.msg20#msg20
| date    = 2008-07-03
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| last1   = Packwood
| first1  = Lewis
| title   = The Man Who is Keeping 1990s Virtual Reality Machines Alive
| url     = http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2016/05/23/the-man-who-is-keeping-1990s-virtual-reality-machines-alive
| date    = 2016-05-23
| website = Kotaku UK
| quote   = One of the machines Simon has restored is owned by the Retro Computer Museum, where it is on display along with various retro consoles, computers and arcade machines. Only around 350 of these machines were ever made, and Simon thinks that these two are the only working examples left in the entire world.
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| last1   = McFerran
| first1  = Damien
| title   = UK Retro Computer Museum Open Day
| url     = https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2009/05/uk_retro_computer_museum_open_day
| date    = 2009-05-31
| website = NintendoLife
}}</ref>

The collection is built largely on donations by the public, and the museum holds around 300 unique systems. Over 40 systems are on display to the public and may be freely used for gaming or, for users with existing knowledge, programming, as well as a public software library holding around 40000 titles. The museum also holds a large collection of magazines and manuals, which are also available to the public.<ref name="website"/>

The museum is open to the public almost all Sundays from 11am to 5:30pm, and many Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, as well as offering private events at the main building in Leicester or other premises.<ref name="website"/><ref>
{{cite web
| last1   = Spencer
| first1  = Andy
| title   = Fancy holding your party at RCM HQ?
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4500.0
| date    = 2012-05-11
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref> The museum also attends other [[Retrogaming|retro gaming]] and [[Retrocomputing|computing]] events, often providing systems for use by other attendees.

== History ==

The museum began as Andy Spencer's personal collection, which eventually outgrew his garage and became the Retro Computer Museum.<ref name="inside_out"/> The museum first opened to the public in 2008, with an open day held in [[Swannington, Leicestershire]] on 16th November 2008.<ref>
{{cite web
| last1   = Spencer
| first1  = Linda
| title   = Re: RCM Open Day - Tickets On Sale!
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=149.msg1935#msg1935
| date    = 2008-09-03
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref> Several more events were held over the following years, both at the original location in Swannington and other venues.<ref>
{{cite web
| author1 = Retro Computer Museum
| title   = RCM Gaming Events - Open Days 2009
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=10.0
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| author1 = Retro Computer Museum
| title   = RCM Gaming Events - Open Days 2010
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=15.0
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| author1 = Retro Computer Museum
| title   = RCM Gaming Events - Open Days 2011
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=18.0
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| last1   = McFerran
| first1  = Damien
| title   = Retro Computer Museum Event Incoming
| url     = https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/10/retro_computer_museum_event_incoming
| date    = 2010-10-05
| website = NintendoLife
}}
</ref>

In 2011, the museum moved into its first permanent building, in [[Heather, Leicestershire]].<ref>
{{cite web
| last1   = Spencer
| first1  = Andy
| title   = Our news...
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3720.msg40373#msg40373
| date    = 2011-07-03
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| last1   = Spencer
| first1  = Andy
| title   = A special 'MEMBERS ONLY' event at RCM HQ
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3755.0
| date    = 2011-07-16
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref> Several open days and events were held here, as well as some school visits.<ref>
{{cite web
| author1 = Retro Computer Museum
| title   = RCM Gaming Events - Open Days 2012
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=22.0
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| last1   = Spencer
| first1  = Andy
| title   = Some feedback from a recent school visit (Year 6 students)...
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4552.0
| date    = 2012-05-31
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref> In 2013, the museum moved to Troon Way Business Centre in Thurmaston, where it remains (albeit in a different building).<ref>
{{cite web
| last1   = Spencer
| first1  = Andy
| title   = SOME REALLY EXCITING NEWS FOR RCM
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4975.0
| date    = 2013-01-21
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref> In 2016, the museum moved again, this time to its current premises.<ref>
{{cite web
| last1   = Spencer
| first1  = Andy
| title   = Some news for 2016
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5624.0
| date    = 2015-12-07
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref> The museum was moved over less than two weeks in January 2016<ref>
{{cite web
| last1   = Spencer
| first1  = Andy
| title   = Moving date(s) - Saturday 9th to Sunday 17th January 2016
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5631.0
| date    = 2015-12-15
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| last1   = Spencer
| first1  = Andy
| title   = We did it...
| url     = http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5650.0
| date    = 2016-01-18
| website = Retro Computer Museum Forums
}}</ref>, and reopened shortly after.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[:Category:Computer museums]]
[[:Category:Computer museums in the United Kingdom]]
[[:Category:Museums in Leicester]]
[[:Category:Science and technology in Leicestershire]]
[[:Category:Charities based in Leicestershire]]
[[:Category:Museums established in 2008]]
[[:Category:2008 establishments in England]]
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